Nut opening and picking machine



Sept. 20, 1932. c, NOWLIN NUT OPENING AND PICKING MACHINE Fild Jan. 16, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l llFlllnl .lllllllHl li llll l p 1932 w A. c. NO WLIN 1,878,422

- NUT OPENING AND' PICKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 1 1929 4 Sheets Sheet 2 gwvmtoa A. C. JVOWL/N Sept. 20, 1932. A c, NOWUN 1,878,422

' NUT OPENING AND PICKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 16. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 5? QQ Q;

Spt. 20, 1932. c, ow m 1,878,422

NUT OPENING AND PICKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 16, 1929 4 Sheet-Sheet 4 A C fYOWLl/Y Patented Sept. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES ATE O CE AUBREY G. NOWLIN, F BEGGS,

OKLAHOMA, .ASSIGNOR OF FOUR-TENTHS TO A. G.

FLIEG, FOURTEEN ONE-HUNDREDTHS TO J. G. SALES, BOTH OF OKMULGEE COUNTY,

OKLAHOMA, AND ONE ON E-I-IUN DREDTI-I T0 NATHAN B. T OWN SEND NUT OPENING AND PICKING MACHINE Application filed January 1c, 1929. semi N10. 332,827.

This invention relates to nut opening andpicking machines for use in connection with pecans and the like.

The invention forming thesubj'ect ofthis application contemplates a machine having means to cut the shell of a pecan or the like into a number of sections and to subsequently bring about the complete separation of the sections thus formed to permit of the recovery of the kernel of thereto. g

' A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character specified having means by which pecans or the like. are

fed to the machine in rapid order and are conducted therethrough for successive action by the cutting and stripping elements by which the expeditious removal of the kernals .fom the shells is accomplished, it being 20' noted in this connection that the machine is adaptedv for use in connection with pecans of various sizes within commercial limits and is intended to remove the kernels intact from the shells thereof so that the market value of the pecans will notbe impaired.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description. i f 1 In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesamei t Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine. Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating an. ejecting and feeding mechanism by which the pecans or the like are presented in succession to plurality of conveyors for movement through the machine, V

Figure 3 is a detailed longitudinal sectional'view taken on line 44 of Figure 2.,

Figure l is a detailed vertical transverse sectional view taken on line Holt Figure 2, Figure 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure. 1, the view being taken in the direction indicated by the arrows, y

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view illustrating a yieldable bearing support embodied in the invention. a

the nut without damagev Figure 7 is a perspective of a bearing embodied in the invention, V

F igure.8 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the means by which the pivoted dog's carried by the several conveyor chainsare em bedded in the shell of thepecan,

Figure 9 is a perspective illustrating the sprocket wheel shown in Figure 8, V

. F igurelO is a sectional view taken on line 10-1Q of. Figure 1, the view being taken in the direction indicated by the arrows,

'Figure 11 is a detailed longitudinal view illustrating the guiding means by which the active runs'of the conveyors are held in line,

Figure 12 is a detailed transverse sectional viewtaken on line 12-12 of Figure 1,.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the conveyor chains, pa'rtsbeing broken away, a Figure 14 is a fragmentary plan view illus-.

tratingthe construction of the conveyor chains, Figure 15 is a sectional perspective of a piston embodied in theinvention, 1 Figure 16 is a front view illustrating a stripper plate by which the kernel of the nut isremoved intact from the section to which it may remain attached subsequentto the separation of the shell into sections, i I Figure 17 is an edge viewof the stripper BU plate and associated elements, s

Figure 18 is an elevation of a cutting mechanism by whichthe shell of the pecan is cut lengthwise,

Figure 19 is'an angles to Figure 18,

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustrationis shown apreferred embodiment of the invention the numeral 20 designates a base upon which standards 21, 22 and 23am, 1; mounted in spaced relation. 7

Asillustrated in Figure 2, the standards 23 carry a drive shaft 2.4 upon which a suitable power transmitting element such as a spur M gear 26 is keyed or otherwise connected. Ob-' viously, the power transmitting element 26 may have connection with a suitable sourceof power not shown. The drive shaft 24 isprovided with a crank to which a-pitman rod 27 is connected and the forward portion of the elevation taken at right pitman rod is shown to have connection with a piston'or ejector 28.

Attention is now invited to Figure 3 which illustrates that the piston 28 intersects a discharge opening in the bottom of a hopper 29 so thatrwhen the piston is fully retracted a pecan may drop to a position immediately in front of the piston for subsequent into. engagement with the conveyors scribed. v

J iggers or straightening devices 31 are mounted for reciprocation at opposite sides of the piston 28 and have connection at'the' rear ends thereof with pitman rods 32, the pitman rods being connected in turn to the gears 34. By way of illustration, the gears 34 are shown to have connection with a second set of gears 36'keyed' or otherwise secured to the drive shaft 24. Since the gears 34 are substantially less in diameter than the diameters, of the gears 36, the jiggers or straightening devices 31 willbe operated at a speed substantially'greater than that of the piston 28. i v Y Figure 2 illustrates'that the. arrangement of the pitman rods 32 and the means by which the same are connected to the gears 34 is such that when one jigger is advanced the other jigger occupies By this arrangement, straightened and immediately in advance of the piston. 28. In further alluding to this feature attention the pecans are is invited to Figures 3 and 4 which illustrate that the upper surfaces of the jiggers or straightening devices are serrated and are beveled'downward in direction of the piston 28 so that the lowermost pecan inthe hopper 29 is directed into the dischargesocket defined by the opposed sides of the jiggers and the bottom wall of thehopper. Incidentally, the bottom wall of the hopper functions as support, for the jiggers 31 and the piston 28.

The serrations in the upper sidesof the jiggers 31 will, agitate the pecanswithin-the hopper 29 to avoid congestion of the same at the outlet point. I Figure 1 illustrates that the standards 21 support the hopper 29 while the standards 22 support the gears 34and the shafts upon which :the same are mounted.

Coming now to the means by which the pecans are conducted through the machine so that the shells thereof may be cut lengthwise at points approximately: 90 degrees apart, attention is invited to Figure 5 which illustrates ly' operated conveyor chains approximately 90 degrees apart and having active runs e2;- tending in spaced parallel relation so that the dogs carried thereby may. have secure engagement with the four sections of the pecan. I r

nated. by the numerals 35" and are trained about sprocket wheels 37. Specifically,e a ch of the sprocket chains.

movement the rearmost position are guided into the space that there are four separate jointwheel 37 is in the nature of two laterally spaced disks having the peripheral portions thereof notched for the reception of the extended terminals of the connecting pins 38 illustrates that the pins 38 carry dogs 39 and 40 having teeth 42 and 44 respectively adapted to be embedded in the shells of the pecans to securely engage the same. The teeth 42 and 44 carried by each link of the chain constitute a pair for engagement with the pecan at longitudinally spaced points and since the chains are/located approximately 90 degrees apart the pecans will be engaged 'by' the aforesaid'pairsof teeth at four points so that the same may be later cut lengthwise into quarters as will be later brought out.

The sprocket wheels at the inlet end of the machine are provided with hubs upon which L-shaped arms 50 are mounted. The arms 50 are mounted between the laterally spaced disks forming each sprocket wheel and are providedwith rollers 52 located in the path of travel of and adapted tobe engaged by the outer edges of the dogs 39 and 40 to force the teeth 42 and 44 into the shells of the pecans. Figure 13illustrates that the outer edgesfof the dogs 39 and 40 are cam like so that upon being engaged with the rollers 52 the teeth 42 and 44 will be embedded in the shellof the pecan. Incidentally, the four sets of teeth are forced more or less simultaneously into the'shell of the pecan to bring aboutthe uniform engagement of the teeth with the pecan shell. 7

Th e'dogs 39.and 40 are shown in Figure 13 to be provided with arcuate slots 54 receiving pins 55-by which the pivotal movement of the dogs is restricted to operative limits.

With the pecan thus engaged by the four sets of'teeth, the same is conducted through construction of the sawsis illustrated in Figures 18 and 19, the latter illustrating that the sawsare mounted on spindles 58 having worm gears 59 engaged by worms 60 on the forward portions of motion transmitting shafts 62. The outer portions of the shafts 62 are provided with suitable motion transmitting means 64 for operative connection with longitudinal shafts 66 extending from a" convenient source of power. The shafts 62 I 1 and the spindles 58 are carried by arms 68 The-conveyor chains are generally desig,-,

64 and at the same time to define ears that Figure 13 admirably 4 are swivelly connected to the brackets by fastening devices 72. By this arrangement, the saws are rotated for cutting through the shell of the pecan and as clearly shown in Figures 1, 18 and 19, the cutting depths of the saws are limited by more orv less semicircular guards 76.

r The guards 7 6- are located on opposite sides of the disks 56 and are adaptedfor engagement with the outer surfaces of the pecan shells so that the cutting depths of the saws are limited. This confines the cut to the shell and leavesthe kernel intactfor subsequent recovery.

Attention is invited to the fact that the ends of the guard recede appreciably to bring about relatively deep cuts at the ends of the pecan shells to assure the complete division of the pecan shell into four sections. In: this connection it might be noted that the shells of pecans are known to be substantially thicker at the endsthan at theintermediate portions. The relatively deep cuts at the ends of the pecan bring about what might be said to be the complete shattering of the ends of the pecan so that the removal of the sections is greatly simplified. The saws are urged into pressure contact with the pecan shell by springs 7 9.

When a quartered pecan shell and the enclosed kernel reach the outlet e'nd'of the ma chine the links connected to the pecan shell will rideab'out the sprocket wheels and thus expose the kernel of the pecan.

Possibly the kernel of the pecan will drop away from all of the sections of the shell, but in case it does not it will be conveyed into engagement with a stripper plate and will be freed to drop into a suitable receiver. The stripper plate is shown in Figure 16 to be provided with intersecting slots 82'receiving portions of the sprocket wheels and the sprocket chains and closely embracing these parts for engagement with the kernel of the ecan.

p The quartered sections of the pecan shell will remain attached to the dogs until engaged with the stripper, arms 86 carried by the frame 88 of the machine. Figure 1 illus trates that the stripper arms 86 are provided with V-shaped notches,i the walls of which are adapted for engagement with the shells of the pecans to completely detach the same from the dogs 39 and l0.

As previously suggested the machine is adaptable for use in connection with pecans of various sizes without previous grading of the pecans and withoutspecial adjustment of the mach ne. In this connection attention is invited to Figure 5 which illustrates that the sprocket wheels 37 have connection with shafts 90 in which conventional or other un versal joints 160 are interposed. The universal joints 160 are located at opposite sides of the sprocket wheels 37 to permit of the radial separation of the sprocket wheels and.

ing the driving engagement between the'beveled gears 92 on the outer portions of the shafts. Slip oints 91 provide for the variations in'the lengths; of the shafts 90. This construction permits of the radial movement of the conveyor chains to accommodate pecans of various sizes. I

Figure 6 illustrates that the shafts 90 are carried byvbearing blocks 94 urged inward'by springs 96. The blocks 94 are carried by the frame of the machine and are intended to permit of the random admission'of pecans without strain on the sprocket wheels and the chains. 1 I

The active runs of the conveyor chains are embraced by separate channeled members which as suggested in Figure 11 embody pivotally and slidably connectedllinks 98. The

ends of the links are overlapped and are connected for sliding, and pivotal movement by pivot pins 99. The sections or links 98 are held in line with each other and are urged inward bysprings 100, the, ends of which are attached to lugs 101 carried by the end portions of the links or sections 98. The ends of the channel members embodying'the links 98 have connection with attaching arms 104, the outer portions of which are recessed as suggested in Figures 6 and 12 for the partial reception of the bearing blocks94. Thus it is, that the guides for the active runs of the conveyors are mounted for radial movement in unison with the active runs of the conveyor.

The piston illustrated in detail in Figure 15 and designated by the numeral 28 comprises inner and outer interfitting sections the outer section being urged to an extreme forward position in the inner section by an expansion spring .176. The movement of the inner section of the piston 28 on the inner section thereof is limited by a pin and slot connection 178. The construct on illustrated in Figure 15 provid'esfor the ejectionof pe-- chine. it might be po nted out that a quan tity of theipecans of random sizes are introduced into the hopper 29 andare allowed to drop singly into the space between the iiggers 31 so that when the piston 28 is subsequently advanced the pecans will be supplied to the pecan passage defined by the four more or less parallel uniformly spaced active runs of the conveyors. Upon the introduction of the pecans lineallyinto the space between the" conveyors, the dogs 39 and 40 are moved by V the rollers 52 in the direction of the pecans sothat the teeth 42 and 14 are embedded in the pecans. With thepecans thus securely engaged'by the four conveyors the same are present-ed to the. longitudinally spaced saws or othercutting devices so that the shells of the pecans are divided into segments or quarters.

machine, the kernels which remain attached to the sections of the pecans are removed by the action of the stripper plate 80 and finally the sections of the shells are disengaged from the conveyors by the stripper arms 86. Attentionmight be directed to'the fact that the pins 54 clearly shown in Figure-13 limit the pivotal movement of the dogs 39 and 40 so that when the dogs are returned to the inlet end of themachine the teeth 42 and 44 there-' of will be in position for proper engagement with the shells of the newly admitted pecans.

It is obvious that a machine constructed in accordance with this invention is capable of use in connection with nuts other than pecans and that the invention is capable of a wide variety of mechanical expressions. Therefore it is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken merely as a preferred example of thesame and that such minor changes in the arrangement and constructionof parts may be made as willremain within the spirit of the invention and the scope of what .is claimed. 3

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is: r

- l. A nut opening and picking machine comprising a plurality of conveyors having links provided between the ends thereof with separate opposed dogs adapted for secure engagement with nuts to carry the same through the machine, a cutting-device 1n the path of travel of the nuts and having means to limit the penetrating depth of the same, a yieldable support for said cutting device, and a stripper to remove the shells of the nuts from engagement with the conveyor.

2. In a machine of the character specified, a plurality of radially arranged conveyors having active runs in substantially spaced parallel relation to define a passage for the movement of nuts, yieldable supporting 7 means for certain of the conveyors, a pluralbetween the ends'of the active runs of the con "ting devices.

ity of longitudinallyspaced cutting devices veyors, and yieldable supports for said out- 3. In a'machine of the character specified. a plurality of radially arranged conveyors having active runs in substantially spaced'parallel relation to define a" passage for the movementof'nuts, yieldable supporting means for certain of the conveyors, a plurality of longitudinally spaced cutting devices between the ends of the active runs of the conveyors,

yieldable supports for said cutting devices,

supports for said cutting devices, said con veyors being provided with teeth for penetratingenga'gement with the shells of nuts, stripping means to remove the shells of the nuts from engagement with the conveyors, and guiding devices for the activeruns of the conveyors. 1 Y

5. In a machine of the character specified,

a plurality of radially arranged conveyors having active runs in substantially spaced parallel relation to define a passage for the movement of nuts, yieldable supporting means for certain of the'conveyors, a plurality of longitudinally spaced cutting devices between the ends of the active runs of the con veyors, yieldable supports for said cutting devices, said conveyors being provided with teeth for penetrating engagement with the shells of nuts, and stripping means to remove the shells of the nuts from engagment with the conveyors, guiding devices for'the active runs of the conveyors, yieldable supporting means for said conveyors and having means connecting said conveyor guides with the yieldable supporting means for the conveyors whereby the conveyors and the guiding means thereofmove in unison, and meansto feed nuts lineally to the passage defined by the active runs of the conveyors. f

6. In a nut opening and picking machine, a plurality of separatezconveyors having pivoted dogsprovided with teeth adaptable for penetrating engagement with the shells. of nuts, cutting devices between the ends of the conveyors andadaptable for cutting engagementwith the shells of nuts engagedby said teeth and having means to force said teeth into biting engagement with opposite sides of nuts, and stripping means to detach the shells of the nuts from engagement with said teeth.

. veyors having active runs in substantially spaced parallel relation to define a nut passage having inlet and outlet ends, longitudinally spaced cutting devices extending into said passage to divide the shells of the nuts into segments, a stripper to remove the meat having of the nuts from engagement with the segments formed by the cutting devices and com: prising a plate having intersecting slots receiving the conveyors, portions of the plate being in the path of travel of and adapted to be engaged by the meat of the nuts to detach the same intact from the segments.

8. In a machine of the character specified, a conveyor consisting of a plurality of links pivoted dogs provided with teeth adapted to be embedded in the shells of nuts, means limiting the pivotal movement of said dogs, and means in the path of travel of and adapted to engage the dogs to move the teeth thereof into the shells of nuts.

9. In a machine of the character specified, a plurality of conveyor chains having pivoted dogs provided with teeth, sprocket wheels supporting the chains, brackets associated with said sprocket wheels and having means in the path of travel of and adapted to en gage-said dogs to urge the teeth thereof into penetrating engagement with the shells of nuts, and cutting devices for engaging the shells of the nuts. 7

10. Ina machine for opening nuts, a saw, a guard associated with the saw and having the ends thereof receded allowing the saw'to cut deeper at the ends of the nuts, and a movable support for the saw.

11. In a machine for opening and picking nuts, a plurality of endless conveyors having active runs arranged in opposed relation to define a passage having inlet and outlet ends,

cutting devices extending between said active runs for engagement with the shells of nuts, and a stripper to remove the meat of the nuts from engagement with the segments formed by the cutting devices and comprising a plate having openings receiving the conveyor, the ends ofsaid openings being in the path of travel of and adapted to be engaged by the meat of the nut to detach the same intact from the segments. 7

12. In a machine for opening and picking nuts, a plurality of endless conveyors having active runs in cooperating relation to define a passage having inlet and outlet ends, cutting devices for engagement with said nuts, a stripper to remove the meat of the nut from engagement with the segments formed by the cutting devices and embodying a plate having slots receiving said conveyor, portions of the plate being in the path of travel of and adapted to be engaged by the meat of the nut to detach the same intact from the segments,

and means to remove the segments of the nut shells from the conveyor subsequent to the removal of the meat from the segments of the shells.

13. In a machine for deshelling nuts, a plu- I sprockets suprality of link chain conveyors, porting the link chain conveyors, said link chain conveyors being provided with teeth path or travel of the nuts carried by said I conveyors, channel shaped guides for the active'runs of the conveyors, and a common .yieldable supporting means for said guides and said sprocket wheels.

AUBREY C. NOWLIN.

, In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. I i

adapted to engage opposite sides of nuts to 7 hold the same in place, cutting devices in the 

